Chile Crisp

4 small shallots, thinly sliced
2 heads of garlic, separated into cloves, thinly sliced
2 (3") cinnamon sticks
6 star anise pods
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 (2") piece ginger, peeled, very finely chopped
1/4 cup crushed red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. sugar

Bring shallots, garlic, cinnamon, star anise, and oil to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, reducing heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer and swirling pan occasionally, until shallots and garlic are browned and crisp, 20–25 minutes. (Take your time—you want to drive all the moisture out of the shallots and garlic before they brown.)
Mix ginger, red pepper flakes, soy sauce, and sugar in a medium bowl to combine. Strain shallot mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into ginger mixture. Let shallots and garlic cool in sieve (this will allow them to crisp further), then stir into sauce.
Use on eggs, meat, seafood, or hearty salads.